Hello, my name is Abi. I am mainly a drummer, but I also play electric guitar, ukulele and a bit of keyboard as well. I have been playing the drums for around eight years and I completed my Rockschool grade eight exam in March of twenty-twenty. I started up with guitar around two years ago and I am currently teaching myself how to play. I taught myself ukulele a couple of years ago and I am still learning now. I used to do keyboard lessons as a child but I stopped because I struggled with reading music. This is one thing I am looking to improve at my time at College. I also took GCSE music at Yorkshire Music School and achieved a grade six.
I have quite a lot of experience in live performance as I am in a band based in Bradford called The Flow. (Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/rock2theflow, Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/theflow_band/?hl=en ). We established in august of twenty-eighteen and we play covers including lots of crowd pleasers to entertain the listeners. We have performed at the Baildon Carnival, Rock the Castle in Keighley, and many other venues including charity events and local pubs around Bradford and Leeds! Because of this, I have a little experience in setting up small PA systems and being able to perform in small corners in pubs and even outdoor stages to large crowds. I also have a bit of experience of recording music from home as I have an audio interface and Reaper on my laptop, which I use to experiment with guitar ideas and make drum covers. I would love to learn more about how to use DAWs and professional recording studios.
I enjoy listening to many genres of music. These include indie pop/rock, bedroom pop, funk, rock, pop-punk and sometimes a bit of jazz! I enjoy playing mostly indie rock music like Arctic Monkeys, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Kaiser Chiefs as this is what I play in my band. At home, I love drumming along to funk tracks as I find the drums can be quite technical and they can challenge my ability.
The areas I would like to specialise in at college are probably recording and composing. I am interested in every aspect in music however, from performing music as a soloist and as a group, to the history of music and even music promotion/marketing. I like the idea of learning how to use a recording studio fully and being able to write my own music and perhaps release it to streaming platforms. I would love to then use my knowledge of composing to write a song or even an EP with my band. I would love to get a job in the music industry; maybe as a session drummer or working in a recording studio. However, the ultimate dream is to tour the world as a drummer in a famous band!
My main targets for this year would be to compose, record, produce and maybe even release my own song. I would also love to be able to work with other students in the arts at Bradford College. This may include working with media students to create a music video for a composition or working with photography students to photograph concerts or make promotional images. Another target I have this year is to improve my skills in guitar by taking electric guitar lessons in College. I might even do some grades in the guitar. My final goal this year would be being able to do well in the final project and be well prepared for year two and beyond!